February 15, 2011 – In addition to being harmful to the health of the heart, industrial trans fats – found in cookies, donuts, margarine, etc. – would be associated with a higher risk of depression.
This is suggested by European researchers who recruited 12,059 Spanish university graduates, who they asked to fill out a detailed questionnaire on their eating habits. They then collected information on the health of the participants, over a period of 6 years on average.
Within the cohort, 657 individuals experienced symptoms of depression during this time. Among the heaviest consumers of trans fats, the risk of developing depression was found to be 48% higher than among the lowest consumers.
The opinion of a psychiatrist
For the Dr François Lespérance, head of the Department of Psychiatry at the CHUM, the results confirm what doctors already suspected: a good diet does not only reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease or cancer. It is also essential for maintaining good mental health.
Dr Francois Lespérance
The researcher is still cautious. “The study showed an association between trans fats and depression,” he notes, “but it has not yet been proven that there is a causal link between the two. It is not excluded, for example, that participants within the cohort with the lowest incomes were more inclined to eat junk foods. However, less fortunate individuals may also be more prone to depression. Income would then be the determining factor. To be clear on the role of trans fats, researchers will need to conduct further studies, he argues.
According to the Dr Lespérance, it is not necessary to wait for the confirmation of the results to act. “Our way of life does not impact just one physiological system, such as the blood system, but a multitude of systems, including the central nervous system. While not a panacea, eating well and exercising is the first line of defense against mental health problems. “
The good news was that eating “good fats” (in this case, olive oil) would slightly lower the risk of depression.
Dominique Forget – PasseportSanté.net
1. Sanchez-Villegas A, Verberne L et al. Dietary Fat Intake and the Risk of Depression: The SUN Project, PLoS One. 2011 Jan 26; 6 (1): e16268.
